A trial of Beijing's wireless network program began last week, enabling residents and visitors to access the Internet using the complimentary network.

Coverage takes in 100 sq km, including the areas inside the Third Ring roads, the CBD trade circle, Financial Street, Zhongguancun, the Wangjing economic and technological development zone, Chunshu in Xuanwu district and Yizhuang.

CECT-Chinacomm Communications, the program's service provider, said the program adopted the WIMAX+MESHWIFI technology, an important supplement to third-generation (3G) network. Through wireless access points, people with laptops, PDAs, or Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phones can go online outdoors.

The network, which will be free of charge during this summer's Olympic Games, will cost users 0.12 yuan ($0.02) per minute after the Games. People will then be able to choose three other prepayment methods, 20 yuan ($2.92) for one day, 60 yuan ($8.75) for five days and 80 yuan ($11.67) for one month. All deals all will offer unlimited traffic.

In Nanjing, the price is much cheaper than in Beijing, at 0.05 yuan ($0.007) per minute during the promotion period.

The wireless network currently provided by China Mobile nationwide offers three payment methods - 30 yuan ($4.38) for 15 hours, 50 yuan ($7.29) for 40 hours, 100 yuan ($14.58) for 200 hours, and 0.05 yuan for each extra minute. These prepaid service hours are effective in all cities in China and must be used within a month.

President of CECT-Chinacomm Communications Guo Hongtao said the speed of the wireless network in Beijing would be no less than 512kpbs.

The second phase of the program will be completed by the end of 2009, when the wireless network will cover urban Beijing within the Fifth Ring road.

By the end of 2010, people in all areas of Beijing, including the suburban areas, will enjoy the service.

(China Daily July 4, 2008)